0
How are rock layers used to determine the relative ages of fossils?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
The Principle of Superposition argues that rock layers towards the top are younger than those at the bottom. This was the principal technique used in the early days.
Fossils have discontinuities - a group will appear, and after a time will vanish again. But very similar fossils appear around the world at the same time.
This subject paleontology, has good records, and a newly found fossil can usually be identified by comparison with the paleontological record.
Today of course, radiometric dating is used very widely to determine the age of both rocks themselves, and of fossils. These techniques use the half-life of radioactive elements to determine the age.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoif it is closer to the surface then it is a newer fossil but it if it is deeper in the ground then it is a older fossil if it has over ten layers then it is a older fossil but if it has nine or less it is a newer one.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Do index fossils tell the relative or absolute age of fossils?
Index fossils can be used to help determine the relative age of rock layers. Index fossils are from species that only existed for a short time. Index fossils are found in rock layers. Trilobites and Graptolites are index fossils.
Why are index fossils so important to geologists?
Index fossils are very important to geologists because they identify geological time periods. Index fossils are found within a specific layer of rock- So when one finds the age of the rock layer, that is also the age of the index fossil.
To compare the relative ages of fossils scientists sometimes use an easily recognized species called?
To compare the relative ages of fossils, scientists use an early recognized species called an index fossil. An index fossil must have existed for a short period time and must have covered a wide geographical range.
How is the relative age of fossils determined?
It is generally determined by how long it has waisted away or if it has reached a certain disintegrating phase (an example would be a half-life). By learning how long a fossils minerals and dead cells have wasted away biologists can learn how old a fossil is relative to a period or our own time on earth.
What are fossils used to determine the relative ages of rock layers?
The age of a fossil would ordinarily be considered the age of the rock in which it was entrained. A common exception is where burrowing organisms, such as snails and worms, excavate their way into a soft rock. But even in these cases, their age would not be too different (in geological terms) from the rock age. The age of a rock may be determined by radio isotope dating, or more commonly and cheaper, by stratigraphy.
Can fossils be used to determine the relative ages of rocks layers?
fossils can be used to determine the relative age of rock layer by using the classification of fossils to find the relative ages of rocks in which fossils are found. :] hoped i helped you out.
How can fossills be used to determine the relative ages of rock layers?
fossils can be used to determine the relative age of rock layer by using the classification of fossils to find the relative ages of rocks in which fossils are found. :] hoped i helped you out.
What are relative fossils?
Answer: The age of a rock compared to the ages of the rock layers.
How can you use fossils and geological features to interpret the relative ages of rock layers?
you cant
What fossils are helpful to geologist because they reveal the relative ages of the rock layers in which they occur?
Those types of fossils are called index fossils.
What two things did 19th century scientists do to determine the relative ages of sedimentary rock all over the world?
They studied fossils and applied the principle that old layers of rock are below young layers! -
What two things did 19th century scientists do to determine the relative age of sedimentary rock all over the world?
They studied fossils and applied the principle that old layers of rock are below young layers! -
How can you determine accurate ages of rock layers?
Stratigraphic position Age Dating techniques i.e. carbon etc Fossil Assemblage present in rock specimen
Fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils?
index fossils
How the relative age of a fossil is determined by studying layers of rock?
It is determined because in layers of rocks the fossils are found so the layers of rocks give information to the scientist about the age of a fossil so like that the relative age of a fossil is determined.
Do index fossils tell the relative or absolute age of fossils?
Index fossils can be used to help determine the relative age of rock layers. Index fossils are from species that only existed for a short time. Index fossils are found in rock layers. Trilobites and Graptolites are index fossils.
How do a geologist use the principle of superposition?
A geologist uses the principle of superposition to determine the relative ages of rocks and sedimentary layers. This principle states that in undisturbed layers of rock, the youngest layers are at the top while the oldest layers are at the bottom. By observing the order in which different rock layers are stacked, a geologist can infer the sequence of events that happened over time in a particular location.
